From rock bottom to mountain summits - literally. LeiLani Quiray is proof that you can break every statistic stacked against you. LeiLani joins Kara Duffy to share how after surviving addiction, trafficking, and a near-death spiral, she rebuilt her life step by step, eventually launching a successful HR company and a coaching business dedicated to helping women transform their trauma into purpose.
In this episode, she shares how healing, self-awareness, and resilience can become your greatest superpowers, and why high-performing women are uniquely positioned to change the world once they do the inner work.
The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms.
Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think.
Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com.
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CTA’s for the Guest:
@iamwildfreeandme
@bethechangeHR
bethechangehr.com
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00:00 – Introduction to LeiLani E. Quiray
01:00 – LeiLani’s Mission & Current Work
02:00 – Building Be The Change HR & Wild Free and Me
03:00 – Childhood & Family Background
04:00 – Addiction, Mental Health & Suicide Attempt
05:00 – Trafficking Experience & Rock Bottom
06:00 – Beginning the Healing Journey
07:00 – Volunteering & Helping Survivors
08:00 – Trauma, Memory & Suppression
09:00 – Understanding Trafficking & Its Nuances
10:30 – Realizing Her Own Trafficking Experience
12:00 – Coercion vs. Force Explained
13:30 – Non-Sexual Trafficking Examples
15:00 – Why Trafficking Is Often Misunderstood
16:30 – Building a Business While Healing
18:00 – Resilience & Relentlessness
19:30 – Endurance Sports & Mental Strength
21:00 – Breaking Statistics & Choosing Change
22:00 – Motherhood & Life-or-Death Turning Point
23:30 – Addiction Recovery & Leaving the Past Behind
25:00 – Trauma, Addiction & Escapism
26:30 – Turning Pain into Purpose
27:30 – Helping Others & Life Philosophy
28:30 – Sharing Her Story Publicly
30:00 – Overcoming Shame & Finding Her Voice
31:30 – Speaking Truth & Personal Power
33:00 – Mind-Body Healing & Physical Transformation
34:30 – Trauma Stored in the Body
36:00 – Fear of Being Fully Seen
37:00 – HR Career & Human-Centered Work
38:00 – Coaching High-Performing Women
39:30 – Turning Healing Into Impact
41:00 – Performance vs. Listening to Your Body
42:30 – Redefining Strength & Letting Go of Comparison
43:30 – What It Means to Be a Powerful Woman
44:30 – Ideal Client & Coaching Approach
45:30 – Creating Balance & Life Design
46:30 – Childhood Dreams & Purpose
47:30 – What She’s Most Proud Of
48:30 – Slowing Down & Enjoying Life
49:30 – Moving to New York & Finding Alignment
50:30 – NYC Energy, Diversity & Inspiration
51:30 – Scaling a 7-Figure Business
52:30 – Business as a Platform for Impact
53:30 – Financial Freedom & Women in Business
54:30 – Starting With Nothing & Building Wealth
55:30 – Entrepreneurship vs. Traditional Work
56:30 – Expansion, Freedom & Designing Your Life
57:30 – Where to Find LeiLani & Final Reflections
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